5 TEACHING IDEAS FOR COME FOLLOW ME LESSONS
See the complete list of CFM Lessons
Alma 43 – 52
Alma’s advice to his sons is also some of the best gospel advice for our own lives. Hope you have an amazing study this week!
Lesson Notes
You can find the full Come, Follow Me lesson here. Unless you opt to spend a lot of time on a particular quote, try to pick around 2 questions per quote. Choose the questions that resonate the most with you and make a meaningful discussion for your group of personalities.
All blue quotes from the Book of Mormon (unless otherwise noted).
Lesson Prep
- If you want the discussion to be more meaningful, hand out reading assignments ahead of time and ask the reader to answer one question about them (pick one of the questions below and give it to them, along with the assigned quote). The sooner you do this, the better, but if possible, at least show it to them before the Sacrament meeting. You can also text or email it.
- Ask various people to read and participate – especially those who aren’t asked as much.
Lesson Delivery
You can arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you. I suggest starting with the most important ones and working your way down. Don’t worry about covering all the quotes.
- Make sure you assign others to read the quotes. You’re talking enough already. Letting others read allows more people to participate.
- Encourage discussion by accepting all reasonable answers. Validate people for participating and be thankful they spoke up. Engage with the answer in a conversational way whenever it feels natural. Never say, “That’s not the right answer,” or “We haven’t got to that part of the lesson yet.”
- Remember, spiritual discussion is golden. We want people to talk about the gospel together.
- If a lesson takes a different turn, roll with it. The Spirit intends for you to be successful.
- If the discussion gets too non-spiritual, pull it back by going to the following quote or question.
- Avoid videos – they shut down discussion. Save them for personal study.
Quote #1 (anger)
Possible engagement tool: Alma teaches an important principle. Wicked people can gain control of large groups of people by stirring them up to anger against someone else.
7 Now this he did that he might preserve their hatred towards the Nephites, that he might bring them into subjection to the accomplishment of his designs.
8 For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage. (Alma 43:7-8)
Possible discussion questions: How clearly do we think when we are angry? How does it feel after you’ve been angry? Why do we need to be careful when someone tries to get us to dislike someone else or be angry with them? Negative gossip binds us and reduces our capacity to love and get along with others – what can we do to avoid that? Do we see modern crowds getting angry today?
Quote #2 (christian)
Possible intro: Believing in Christ sets people apart in Captain Moroni’s time.
14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong to the church.
15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.
16 And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be favored. (Alma 46:14-16)
Possible discussion questions: How can people tell you’re a Christian? Does it matter if someone claims you’re not a Christian because you believe differently than they do? (No – it’s a popular tactic among other Christians to say that Latter-day Saints are not Christian – and when someone says that to me, I always smile and say from my heart, “Regardless, I read the Four Gospels in the Bible (they know that to be Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and follow every syllable Jesus spoke. I am a follower of that Jesus Christ and I know He is mighty to save and my Redeemer and Messiah.” And THEN I DON’T ARGUE with whatever they say next. I smile, wish them well, and walk away from that.)
Why is it important for Christians to have freedom in the land? (Accept all reasonable answers – so they are free to worship and practice their religion.)
Quote #3 (calm)
Possible intro: Death is not scary or tragic if you have a firm connection to Heaven and great faith. Death is a door to a higher path and a better existence.
39 And it came to pass that there were many who died, firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing. (Alma 46:39)
Possible discussion question: How does understanding the Plan of Salvation soften death? How is it possible for someone to die and not be upset about dying? What do you hope for after you die?
Quote #4 (war)
Possible engagement tool: Have your class think about this question while you read the following verse about Captain Moroni, “What does the Book of Mormon teach about making war”?
13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.
14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives. (Alma 48:13-14)
Possible discussion questions: Even though Captain Moroni was a mighty warrior who bravely went to battle – did he look for war? Do we believe in starting a war with another country? Should we protect ourselves and our families if someone comes after us to destroy us?
Quote #5 (valiant)
Possible engagement tool: Have your class consider this question as you read the following verse, “Why was Moroni such a powerful captain of his armies”?

17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.
18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God. (Alma 48:17-18)
valiant: lionhearted, unyielding, courageous, spirited, steadfast, confident, resolute
Possible discussion questions: Who were the sons of Mosiah, and how were they strong? Can we be physically or financially strong but have a weak spirit? Why is a strong spirit and conviction necessary today? What can we do to have stronger spirituality like Captain Moroni? (Accept all possible answers – not worry about what others think of our religious practices or what they think in general; stand up for truth even when it’s not rewarding.)
Summary
Summarize class discussion highlights and/or share your testimony and feelings about the lesson. Thank your class for their excellent contributions and insights.
Final Comment
As you study and teach, you can help others find more truths in the scriptures. Thank you for bringing powerful Book of Mormon teachings into other people’s lives.
If you would like some tips on how to feel more confident while teaching, try “9 Tips for More Class Participation.” Please arrange the quotes in any order that makes sense to you.
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